Tao Te Ching

道可道 非常道The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao

名可名 非常名The name that can be named is not the eternal name

無名天地之始The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth

有名萬物之母The named is the mother of myriad things

故常無欲 以觀其妙Thus, constantly without desire, one observes its essence

常有欲 以觀其徼Constantly with desire, one observes its manifestations

此兩者 同出而異名These two emerge together but differ in name

同謂之玄The unity is said to be the mystery

玄之又玄 眾妙之門Mystery of mysteries, the door to all wonders

天下皆知美之為美 斯惡已When the world knows beauty as beauty, ugliness arises

皆知善之為善 斯不善已When it knows good as good, evil arises

故有無相生Thus being and non-being produce each other

難易相成Difficult and easy bring about each other

長短相形Long and short reveal each other

高下相傾High and low support each other

音聲相和Music and voice harmonize each other

前後相隨Front and back follow each other

是以聖人Therefore the sages:

處無為之事Manage the work of detached actions

行不言之教Conduct the teaching of no words

萬物作焉而不辭They work with myriad things but do not control

生而不有They create but do not possess

為而不恃They act but do not presume

功成而弗居They succeed but do not dwell on success

夫唯弗居It is because they do not dwell on success

是以不去That it never goes away

不尚賢Do not glorify the achievers

使民不爭So the people will not squabble

不貴難得之貨Do not treasure goods that are hard to obtain

使民不為盜So the people will not become thieves

不見可欲Do not show the desired things

使民心不亂So their hearts will not be confused

是以聖人之治Thus the governance of the sage:

虛其心Empties their hearts

實其腹Fills their bellies

弱其志Weakens their ambitions

強其骨Strengthens their bones

常使民無知無欲Let the people have no cunning and no greed

使夫智者不敢為也So those who scheme will not dare to meddle

為無為Act without contrivance

則無不治And nothing will be beyond control

道沖而用之或不盈The Tao is empty; when utilized, it is not filled up

淵兮似萬物之宗So deep! It seems to be the source of all things

挫其銳It blunts the sharpness

解其紛Unravels the knots

和其光Dims the glare

同其塵Mixes the dusts

湛兮似或存So indistinct! It seems to exist

吾不知誰之子I do not know whose offspring it is

象帝之先Its image is the predecessor of the Emperor

天地不仁Heaven and Earth are impartial

以萬物為芻狗They regard myriad things as straw dogs

聖人不仁The sages are impartial

以百姓為芻狗They regard people as straw dogs

天地之間The space between Heaven and Earth

其猶橐籥乎Is it not like a bellows?

虛而不屈Empty, and yet never exhausted

動而愈出It moves, and produces more

多言數窮Too many words hasten failure

不如守中Cannot compare to keeping to the void

谷神不死The valley spirit, undying

是謂玄牝Is called the Mystic Female

玄牝之門The gate of the Mystic Female

是謂天地根Is called the root of Heaven and Earth

綿綿若存It flows continuously, barely perceptible

用之不勤Utilize it; it is never exhausted

天長地久Heaven and Earth are everlasting

天地所以能長且久者The reason Heaven and Earth can last forever

以其不自生Is that they do not exist for themselves

故能長生Thus they can last forever

是以聖人Therefore the sages:

後其身而身先Place themselves last but end up in front

外其身而身存Are outside of themselves and yet survive

非以其無私邪Is it not due to their selflessness?

故能成其私That is how they can achieve their own goals

上善若水The highest goodness resembles water

水善利萬物而不爭Water greatly benefits myriad things without contention

處眾人之所惡It stays in places that people dislike

故幾於道Therefore it is similar to the Tao

居善地Dwelling with the right location

心善淵Feeling with great depth

與善仁Giving with great kindness

言善信Speaking with great integrity

正善治Governing with great administration

事善能Handling with great capability

動善時Moving with great timing

夫唯不爭Because it does not contend

故無尤It is therefore beyond reproach

持而盈之Holding a cup and overfilling it

不如其已Cannot be as good as stopping short

揣而銳之Pounding a blade and sharpening it

不可長保Cannot be kept for long

金玉滿堂Gold and jade fill up the room

莫之能守No one is able to protect them

富貴而驕Wealth and position bring arrogance

自遺其咎And leave disasters upon oneself

功遂When achievement is completed, fame is attained

身退Withdraw oneself

天之道This is the Tao of Heaven

載營魄抱一In holding the soul and embracing oneness

能無離乎Can one be steadfast, without straying?

專氣致柔In concentrating the energy and reaching relaxation

能嬰兒乎Can one be like an infant?

滌除玄覽In cleaning away the worldly view

能無疵乎Can one be without imperfections?

愛民治國In loving the people and ruling the nation

能無為乎Can one be without manipulation?

天門開闔In the heavenly gate's opening and closing

能為雌乎Can one hold to the feminine principle?

明白四達In understanding clearly all directions

能無知乎Can one be without intellectuality?

生之畜之Bearing it, rearing it

生而不有Bearing without possession

為而不恃Achieving without arrogance

長而不宰Raising without domination

是謂玄德This is called the Mystic Virtue

三十幅 共一轂Thirty spokes join in one hub

當其無 有車之用In its emptiness, there is the function of a vehicle

埏埴以為器Mix clay to create a container

當其無 有器之用In its emptiness, there is the function of a container

鑿戶牖以為室Cut open doors and windows to create a room

當其無 有室之用In its emptiness, there is the function of a room

故有之以為利Therefore, that which exists is used to create benefit

無之以為用That which is empty is used to create functionality

五色令人目盲The five colors make one blind in the eyes

五音令人耳聾The five sounds make one deaf in the ears

五味令人口爽The five flavors make one tasteless in the mouth

馳騁畋獵令人心發狂Racing and hunting make one wild in the heart

難得之貨令人行妨Goods that are difficult to acquire make one cause damage

是以聖人為腹不為目Therefore the sages care for the stomach and not the eyes

故去彼取此That is why they discard the other and take this

寵辱若驚Favor and disgrace make one fearful

貴大患若身The greatest misfortune is the self

何謂寵辱若驚What does "favor and disgrace make one fearful" mean?

寵為上 辱為下Favor is high; disgrace is low

得之若驚Having it makes one fearful

失之若驚Losing it makes one fearful

是謂寵辱若驚This is "favor and disgrace make one fearful"

何謂貴大患若身What does "the greatest misfortune is the self" mean?

吾所以有大患者The reason I have great misfortune

為吾有身Is that I have the self

及吾無身If I have no self

吾有何患What misfortune do I have?

故貴以身為天下So one who values the self as the world

若可寄天下Can be given the world

愛以身為天下One who loves the self as the world

若可託天下Can be entrusted with the world

視之不見Look at it, it cannot be seen

名曰夷It is called colorless

聽之不聞Listen to it, it cannot be heard

名曰希It is called noiseless

摶之不得Reach for it, it cannot be held

名曰微It is called formless

此三者不可致詰These three cannot be completely unraveled

故混而為一So they are combined into one

其上不皦Above it, not bright

其下不昧Below it, not dark

繩繩不可名Continuing endlessly, cannot be named

復歸於無物It returns back into nothingness

是謂無狀之狀Thus it is called the form of the formless

無象之象The image of the imageless

是謂惚恍This is called enigmatic

迎之不見其首Confront it, its front cannot be seen

隨之不見其後Follow it, its back cannot be seen

執古之道Wield the Tao of the ancients

以御今之有To manage the existence of today

能知古始One can know the ancient beginning

是謂道紀It is called the Tao Axiom

古之善為士者The Tao masters of antiquity

微妙玄通Subtle wonders through mystery

深不可識Depths that cannot be discerned

夫唯不可識Because one cannot discern them

故強為之容Therefore one is forced to describe the appearance

豫兮若冬涉川Hesitant, like crossing a wintry river

猶兮若畏四鄰Cautious, like fearing four neighbors

儼兮其若容Solemn, like a guest

渙兮若冰之將釋Loose, like ice about to melt

敦兮其若樸Genuine, like plain wood

曠兮其若谷Open, like a valley

混兮其若濁Opaque, like muddy water

孰能濁以止Who can be muddled yet desist

靜之徐清In stillness gradually become clear?

孰能安以久Who can be serene yet persist

動之徐生In motion gradually come alive?

保此道者不欲盈One who holds this Tao does not wish to be overfilled

夫唯不盈Because one is not overfilled

故能蔽不新成Therefore one can preserve and not create anew

致虛極Attain the ultimate emptiness

守靜篤Hold on to the truest tranquility

萬物並作The myriad things are all active

吾以觀復I therefore watch their return

夫物芸芸 各復歸其根Everything flourishes; each returns to its root

歸根曰靜Returning to the root is called tranquility

是謂復命Tranquility is called returning to one's nature

復命曰常Returning to one's nature is called constancy

知常曰明Knowing constancy is called clarity

不知常 妄作凶Not knowing constancy, one recklessly causes trouble

知常容Knowing constancy is acceptance

容乃公Acceptance is impartiality

公乃王Impartiality is sovereign

王乃天Sovereign is Heaven

天乃道Heaven is Tao

道乃久Tao is eternal

沒身不殆The self is no more, without danger

太上 不知有之The highest rulers, people do not know they have them

其次 親而譽之The next level, people love them and praise them

其次 畏之The next level, people fear them

其次 侮之The next level, people despise them

信不足焉If the rulers' trust is insufficient

有不信焉Have no trust in them

悠兮其貴言Proceeding calmly, valuing their words

功成事遂Task accomplished, matter settled

百姓皆謂 我自然The people all say, "We did it naturally"

大道廢The great Tao fades away

有仁義There is benevolence and justice

智慧出Intelligence comes forth

有大偽There is great deception

六親不和The six relations are not harmonious

有孝慈There is filial piety and kind affection

國家昏亂The country is in confused chaos

有忠臣There are loyal ministers

絕聖棄智End sagacity; abandon knowledge

民利百倍The people benefit a hundred times

絕仁棄義End benevolence; abandon righteousness

民復孝慈The people return to piety and charity

絕巧棄利End cunning; discard profit

盜賊無有Bandits and thieves no longer exist

此三者 以為文不足These three things are superficial and insufficient

故令有所屬Thus this teaching has its place:

見素抱樸Show plainness; hold simplicity

少私寡欲Reduce selfishness; decrease desires

絕學無憂Cease learning, no more worries

唯之與阿Respectful response and scornful response

相去幾何How much is the difference?

善之與惡Goodness and evil

相去若何How much do they differ?

人之所畏 不可不畏What the people fear, I cannot be unafraid

荒兮 其未央哉So desolate! How limitless it is!

眾人熙熙The people are excited

如享太牢As if enjoying a great feast

如春登臺As if climbing up to the terrace in spring

我獨泊兮其未兆I alone am quiet and uninvolved

如嬰兒之未孩Like an infant not yet smiling

乘乘兮若無所歸So weary, like having no place to return

眾人皆有餘The people all have surplus

而我獨若遺While I alone seem lacking

我愚人之心也哉I have the heart of a fool indeed – so ignorant!

沌沌兮俗人昭昭Ordinary people are bright

我獨昏昏I alone am muddled

俗人察察Ordinary people are scrutinizing

我獨悶悶I alone am obtuse

澹兮其若海Such tranquility, like the ocean

飂兮若無所止Such high wind, as if without limits

眾人皆有以The people all have goals

而我獨頑且鄙And I alone am stubborn and lowly

我獨異於人I alone am different from them

而貴食母And value the nourishing mother

孔德之容The appearance of great virtue

惟道是從Follows only the Tao

道之為物The Tao, as a thing

惟恍惟惚Seems indistinct, seems unclear

惚兮恍兮So unclear, so indistinct

其中有象Within it there is image

恍兮惚兮So indistinct, so unclear

其中有物Within it there is substance

窈兮冥兮So deep, so profound

其中有精Within it there is essence

其精甚真Its essence is supremely real

其中有信Within it there is faith

自古及今From ancient times to the present

其名不去Its name never departs

以閱眾甫To observe the source of all things

吾何以知眾甫之狀哉How do I know the nature of the source?

以此With this

曲則全Yield and remain whole

枉則直Bend and remain straight

窪則盈Be low and become filled

敝則新Be worn out and become renewed

少則得Have little and receive

多則惑Have much and be confused

是以聖人抱一Therefore the sages hold to the one

為天下式as an example for the world

不自見故明Without flaunting themselves – and so are seen clearly

不自是故彰Without presuming themselves – and so are distinguished

不自伐故有功Without praising themselves – and so have merit

不自矜故長Without boasting about themselves – and so are lasting

夫唯不爭Because they do not contend

故天下莫能與之爭the world cannot contend with them

古之所謂曲則全者What the ancients called "the one who yields and remains whole"

豈虛言哉Were they speaking empty words?

誠全而歸之Sincerity becoming whole, and returning to oneself

希言自然Sparse speech is natural

故飄風不終朝Thus strong wind does not last all morning

驟雨不終日Sudden rain does not last all day

孰為此者 天地What makes this so? Heaven and Earth

天地尚不能久Even Heaven and Earth cannot make it last

而況於人乎How can humans?

故從事於道者Thus for those who follow the Tao:

道者同於道Those of the Tao are with the Tao

德者同於德Those of virtue are with virtue

失者同於失Those of loss are with loss

同於道者Those who are with the Tao

道亦樂得之the Tao is also pleased to have them

同於德者Those who are with virtue

德亦樂得之virtue is also pleased to have them

同於失者Those who are with loss

失於樂得之loss is also please to have them

信不足焉有不信焉Those who do not trust sufficiently, others have no trust in them

企者不立Those who are on tiptoes cannot stand

跨者不行Those who straddle cannot walk

自見者不明Those who flaunt themselves are not clear

自是者不彰Those who presume themselves are not distinguished

自伐者無功Those who praise themselves have no merit

自矜者不長Those who boast about themselves do not last

其在道也 曰餘食贅形Those with the Tao call such things leftover food or tumors

物或惡之They despise them

故有道者不處Thus, those who possesses the Tao do not engage in them

有物混成There is something formlessly created

先天地生Born before Heaven and Earth

寂兮寥兮So silent! So ethereal!

獨立而不改Independent and changeless

周行而不殆Circulating and ceaseless

可以為天下母It can be regarded as the mother of the world

吾不知其名I do not know its name

字之曰道To identify it, I call it "Tao"

強為之名曰大Forced to describe it, I call it great

大曰逝Great means passing

逝曰遠Passing means receding

遠曰反Receding means returning

故道大Therefore the Tao is great

天大Heaven is great

地大Earth is great

王亦大The sovereign is also great

域中有四大There are four greats in the universe

而王居其一焉And the sovereign occupies one of them

人法地Humans follow the laws of Earth

地法天Earth follows the laws of Heaven

天法道Heaven follows the laws of Tao

道法自然Tao follows the laws of nature

重為輕根Heaviness is the root of lightness

靜為躁君Quietness is the master of restlessness

是以聖人終日行Therefore the sages travel an entire day

不離輜重Without leaving the heavy supplies

雖有榮觀Even though there are luxurious sights

燕處超然They are composed and transcend beyond

奈何萬乘之主How can the lords of ten thousand chariots

而以身輕天下Apply themselves lightly to the world?

輕則失根To be light is to lose one's root

躁則失君To be restless is to lose one's mastery

善行無轍跡Good traveling does not leave tracks

善言無瑕謫Good speech does not seek faults

善數不用籌策Good reckoning does not use counters

善閉無關楗而不可開Good closure needs no bar and yet cannot be opened

善結無繩約而不可解Good knot needs no rope and yet cannot be untied

是以聖人Therefore sages:

常善救人Often save others

故無棄人and so do not abandon anyone

常善救物They often save things

故無棄物and so do not abandon anything

是謂襲明This is called following enlightenment

故善人者 不善人之師Therefore the good person is the teacher of the bad person

不善人者 善人之資The bad person is the resource of the good person

不貴其師Those who do not value their teachers

不愛其資And do not love their resources

雖智大迷Although intelligent, they are greatly confused

是謂要妙This is called the essential wonder

知其雄 守其雌Know the masculine, hold to the feminine

為天下谿Be the watercourse of the world

為天下谿Being the watercourse of the world

常德不離The eternal virtue does not depart

復歸於嬰兒Return to the state of the infant

知其白 守其黑Know the white, hold to the black

為天下式Be the standard of the world

為天下式Being the standard of the world

常德不忒The eternal virtue does not deviate

復歸於無極Return to the state of the boundless

知其榮 守其辱Know the honor, hold to the humility

為天下谷Be the valley of the world

為天下谷Being the valley of the world

常德乃足The eternal virtue shall be sufficient

復歸於樸Return to the state of plain wood

樸散則為器Plain wood splits, then becomes tools

聖人用之The sages utilize them

則為官長And then become leaders

故大制不割Thus the greater whole is undivided

將欲取天下而為之Those who wish to take the world and control it

吾見其不得已I see that they cannot succeed

天下神器The world is a sacred instrument

不可為也One cannot control it

為者敗之The one who controls it will fail

執者失之The one who grasps it will lose

故物Thus all things:

或行或隨Either lead or follow

或歔或吹Either blow hot or cold

或強或羸Either have strength or weakness

或載或隳Either have ownership or take by force

是以聖人Therefore the sage:

去甚Eliminates extremes

去奢Eliminates excess

去泰Eliminates arrogance

以道佐人主者The one who uses the Tao to advise the ruler

不以兵強天下Does not dominate the world with soldiers

其事好還Such methods tend to be returned

師之所處The place where the troops camp

荊棘生焉Thistles and thorns grow

大軍之後Following the great army

必有凶年There must be an inauspicious year

善有果而已A good commander achieves result, then stops

不敢以取強And does not dare to reach for domination

果而勿矜Achieves result but does not brag

果而勿伐Achieves result but does not flaunt

果而勿驕Achieves result but is not arrogant

果而不得已Achieves result but only out of necessity

果而勿強Achieves result but does not dominate

物壯則老Things become strong and then get old

是謂不道This is called contrary to the Tao

不道早已That which is contrary to the Tao soon ends

夫佳兵者 不祥之器A strong military, a tool of misfortune

物或惡之All things detest it

故有道者不處Therefore, those who possess the Tao avoid it

君子居則貴左Honorable gentlemen, while at home, value the left

用兵則貴右When deploying the military, value the right

兵者不祥之器The military is a tool of misfortune

非君子之器Not the tool of honorable gentlemen

不得已而用之When using it out of necessity

恬淡為上Calm detachment should be above all

勝而不美Victorious but without glory

而美之者Those who glorify

是樂殺人Are delighting in the killing

夫樂殺人者Those who delight in killing

則不可得志於天下矣Cannot achieve their ambitions upon the world

吉事尚左Auspicious events favor the left

凶事尚右Inauspicious events favor the right

偏將軍居左The lieutenant general is positioned to the left

上將軍居右The major general is positioned to the right

言以喪禮處之We say that they are treated as if in a funeral

殺人之眾Those who have been killed

以悲哀泣之Should be mourned with sadness

戰勝以喪禮處之Victory in war should be treated as a funeral

道常無名The Tao, eternally nameless

樸雖小Its simplicity, although imperceptible

天下莫能臣也Cannot be treated by the world as subservient

侯王若能守之If the sovereign can hold on to it

萬物將自賓All will follow by themselves

天地相合Heaven and Earth, together in harmony

以降甘露Will rain sweet dew

民莫之令而自均People will not need to force it; it will adjust by itself

始制有名In the beginning, there were names

名亦既有Names came to exist everywhere

夫亦將知止One should know when to stop

知止可以不殆Knowing when to stop, thus avoiding danger

譬道之在天下The existence of the Tao in the world

猶川谷之於江海Is like streams in the valley into rivers and the ocean

知人者智Those who understand others are intelligent

自知者明Those who understand themselves are enlightened

勝人者有力Those who overcome others have strength

自勝者強Those who overcome themselves are powerful

知足者富Those who know contentment are wealthy

強行者有志Those who proceed vigorously have willpower

不失其所者久Those who do not lose their base endure

死而不亡者壽Those who die but do not perish have longevity

大道氾兮The great Tao is like a flood

其可左右It can flow to the left or to the right

萬物恃之以生而不辭The myriad things depend on it for life, but it never stops

功成而不名有It achieves its work, but does not take credit

衣養萬物而不為主It clothes and feeds myriad things, but does not rule over them

常無欲Ever desiring nothing

可名於小It can be named insignificant

萬物歸焉而不為主Myriad things return to it but it does not rule over them

可名為大It can be named great

以其終不自為大Even in the end, it does not regard itself as great

故能成其大That is how it can achieve its greatness

執大象Hold the great image

天下往All under heaven will come

往而不害 安平太They come without harm, in harmonious peace

樂與餌 過客止Music and food, passing travelers stop

道之出口The Tao that is spoken out of the mouth

淡乎其無味Is bland and without flavor

視之不足見Look at it, it cannot be seen

聽之不足聞Listen to it, it cannot be heard

用之不足既Use it, it cannot be exhausted

將欲歙之If one wishes to shrink it

必固張之One must first expand it

將欲弱之If one wishes to weaken it

必固強之One must first strengthen it

將欲廢之If one wishes to discard it

必固興之One must first promote it

將欲奪之If one wishes to seize it

必固與之One must first give it

是謂微明This is called subtle clarity

柔弱勝剛強The soft and weak overcomes the tough and strong

魚不可脫於淵Fish cannot leave the depths

國之利器The sharp instruments of the state

不可以示人Cannot be shown to the people

道常無為The Tao is constant in non-action

而無不為Yet there is nothing it does not do

侯王若能守之If the sovereign can hold on to this

萬物將自化All things shall transform themselves

化而欲作Transformed, yet wishing to achieve

吾將鎮之以無名之樸I shall restrain them with the simplicity of the nameless

無名之樸The simplicity of the nameless

夫亦將無欲They shall be without desire

不欲以靜Without desire, using stillness

天下將自定The world shall steady itself

上德不德High virtue is not virtuous

是以有德Therefore it has virtue

下德不失德Low virtue never loses virtue

是以無德Therefore it has no virtue

上德無為High virtue takes no contrived action

而無以為And acts without agenda

下德為之Low virtue takes contrived action

而有以為And acts with agenda

上仁為之High benevolence takes contrived action

而無以為And acts without agenda

上義為之High righteousness takes contrived action

而有以為And acts with agenda

上禮為之High etiquette takes contrived action

而莫之應And upon encountering no response

則攘臂而扔之Uses arms to pull others

故失道而後德Therefore, the Tao is lost, and then virtue

失德而後仁Virtue is lost, and then benevolence

失仁而後義Benevolence is lost, and then righteousness

失義而後禮Righteousness is lost, and then etiquette

夫禮者Those who have etiquette

忠信之薄are a thin shell of loyalty and sincerity

而亂之首And the beginning of chaos

前識者Those with foreknowledge

道之華Are the flowers of the Tao

而愚之始And the beginning of ignorance

是以大丈夫Therefore the great person:

處其厚 不居其薄Abides in substance, and does not dwell on the thin shell

處其實 不居其華Abides in the real, and does not dwell on the flower

故去彼取此Thus they discard that and take this

昔之得一者Those that attained oneness since ancient times:

天得一以清The sky attained oneness and thus clarity

地得一以寧The earth attained oneness and thus tranquility

神得一以靈The gods attained oneness and thus divinity

谷得一以盈The valley attained oneness and thus abundance

萬物得一以生The myriad things attained oneness and thus life

侯王得一以為天下貞The rulers attained oneness and became the world’s standard

其致之一也These all emerged from oneness

天無以清將恐裂The sky, lacking clarity, would break apart

地無以寧將恐發The earth, lacking tranquility, would erupt

神無以靈將恐歇The gods, lacking divinity, would vanish

谷無以盈將恐竭The valley, lacking abundance, would wither

萬物無以生將恐滅Myriad things, lacking life, would be extinct

侯王無以貞而貴高將恐蹶The rulers, lacking lofty standards, would be toppled

故貴以賤為本Therefore, the honored uses the lowly as basis

高以下為基The higher uses the lower as foundation

是以侯王自稱孤寡不穀Thus the rulers call themselves alone, bereft, and unworthy

此非以賤為本耶 非乎Is this not using the lowly as basis? Is it not so?

故致數輿無輿Therefore, the ultimate honor is no honor

不欲琭琭如玉Do not wish to be shiny like jade

珞珞如石Be dull like rocks

反者道之動The returning is the movement of the Tao

弱者道之用The weak is the utilization of the Tao

天下萬物生於有The myriad things of the world are born of being

有生於無Being is born of non-being

上士聞道Higher people hear of the Tao

勤而行之They diligently practice it

中士聞道Average people hear of the Tao

若存若亡They sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it

下士聞道Lower people hear of the Tao

大笑之They laugh loudly at it

不笑不足以為道If they do not laugh, it would not be the Tao

故建言有之Therefore a proverb has the following:

明道若昧The clear Tao appears unclear

進道若退The advancing Tao appears to retreat

夷道若纇The smooth Tao appears uneven

上德若谷High virtue appears like a valley

大白若辱Great integrity appears like disgrace

廣德若不足Encompassing virtue appears insufficient

建德若偷Building virtue appears inactive

質真若渝True substance appears inconstant

大方無隅The great square has no corners

大器晚成The great vessel is late in completion

大音希聲The great music is imperceptible in sound

大象無形The great image has no form

道隱無名The Tao is hidden and nameless

夫唯道Yet it is only the Tao

善貸且成That excels in giving and completing everything

道生一Tao produces one

一生二One produces two

二生三Two produce three

三生萬物Three produce myriad things

萬物負陰而抱陽Myriad things, backed by yin and embracing yang

沖氣以為和Achieve harmony by integrating their energy

人之所惡What the people dislike

唯孤寡不穀Are alone, bereft, and unworthy

而王公以為稱But the rulers call themselves with these terms

故物So with all things

或損之而益Appear to take loss but benefit

或益之而損Or receive benefit but lose

人之所教What the ancients taught

我亦教之I will also teach

強梁者不得其死The violent one cannot have a natural death

吾將以為教父I will use this as the principal of all teachings

天下之至柔The softest things of the world

馳騁天下之至堅Override the hardest things of the world

無有That which has no substance

入於無間Enters into that which has no openings

吾是以知無為之有益From this I know the benefits of unattached actions

不言之教The teaching without words

無為之益The benefits of actions without attachment

天下希及之Are rarely matched in the world

名與身孰親Fame or the self, which is dearer?

身與貨孰多The self or wealth, which is greater?

得與亡孰病Gain or loss, which is more painful?

是故甚愛必大費Thus excessive love must lead to great spending

多藏必厚亡Excessive hoarding must lead to heavy loss

知足不辱Knowing contentment avoids disgrace

知止不殆Knowing when to stop avoids danger

可以長久Thus one can endure indefinitely

大成若缺Great perfection seems flawed

其用不弊Its function is without failure

大盈若沖Great fullness seems empty

其用不窮Its function is without exhaustion

大直若屈Great straightness seems bent

大巧若拙Great skill seems unrefined

大辯若訥Great eloquence seems inarticulate

躁勝寒Movement overcomes cold

靜勝熱Stillness overcomes heat

清靜為天下正Clear quietness is the standard of the world

天下有道When the world has the Tao

卻走馬以糞Fast horses are retired to till the soil

天下無道When the world lacks the Tao

戎馬生於郊Warhorses give birth on the battlefield

罪莫大於可欲There is no crime greater than greed

禍莫大於不知足No disaster greater than discontentment

咎莫大於欲得No fault greater than avarice

故知足之足Thus the satisfaction of contentment

常足矣is the lasting satisfaction

不出戶 知天下Without going out the door, know the world

不闚牖 見天道Without peering out the window, see the Heavenly Tao

其出彌遠The further one goes

其知彌少The less one knows

是以聖人Therefore the sage

不行而知Knows without going

不見而名Names without seeing

不為而成Achieves without striving

為學日益Pursue knowledge, daily gain

為道日損Pursue Tao, daily loss

損之又損Loss and more loss

以至於無為Until one reaches unattached action

無為而無不為With unattached action, there is nothing one cannot do

取天下常以無事Take the world by constantly applying non-interference

及其有事The one who interferes

不足以取天下is not qualified to take the world

聖人無常心The sages have no constant mind

以百姓心為心They take the mind of the people as their mind

善者 吾善之Those who are good, I am good to them

不善者 吾亦善之Those who are not good, I am also good to them

德善Thus the virtue of goodness

信者 吾信之Those who believe, I believe them

不信者 吾亦信之Those who do not believe, I also believe them

德信Thus the virtue of belief

聖人之在天下歙歙焉The sages live in the world

為天下渾其心They cautiously merge their mind for the world

百姓皆注其耳目The people all pay attention with their ears and eyes

聖人皆孩之The sages care for them as children

出生入死Coming into life, entering death

生之徒 十有三The followers of life, three in ten

死之徒 十有三The followers of death, three in ten

人之生 動之於死地Those whose lives are moved toward death

亦十有三Also three in ten

夫何故Why?

以其生生之厚Because they live lives of excess

蓋聞善攝生者I've heard of those who are good at cultivating life

陸行不遇兕虎Traveling on the road, they do not encounter rhinos or tigers

入軍不被甲兵Entering into an army, they are not harmed by weapons

兕無所投其角Rhinos have nowhere to thrust their horns

虎無所措其爪Tigers have nowhere to clasp their claws

兵無所容其刃Soldiers have nowhere to lodge their blades

夫何故Why?

以其無死地Because they have no place for death

道生之Tao produces them

德畜之Virtue raises them

物形之Things shape them

勢成之Forces perfect them

是以萬物Therefore the myriad things

莫不尊道而貴德all respect the Tao and value virtue

道之尊 德之貴The respect for Tao, the value of virtue

夫莫之命Not due to command

而常自然but to constant nature

故道生之Thus Tao produces them

德畜之Virtue raises them

長之育之Grows them, educates them

成之熟之Perfects them, matures them

養之覆之Nurtures them, protects them

生而不有Produces but does not possess

為而不恃Acts but does not flaunt

長而不宰Nurtures but does not dominate

是謂玄德This is called Mystic Virtue

天下有始The world has a beginning

以為天下母We regard it as the mother of the world

既得其母Having its mother

以知其子We can know her children

既知其子Knowing her children

復守其母Still holding on to the mother

沒身不殆Live without danger all through life

塞其兌Close the mouth

閉其門Shut the doors

終身不勤Live without toil all through life

開其兌Open the mouth

濟其事Meddle in the affairs

終身不救Live without salvation all through life

見小曰明Seeing details is called clarity

守柔曰強Holding on to the soft is called strength

用其光Utilize the light

復歸其明Return to the clarity

無遺身殃Leaving no disasters for the self

是為習常This is called practicing constancy

使我介然有知If I have a little knowledge

行於大道Walking on the great Tao

唯施是畏I fear only to deviate from it

大道甚夷The great Tao is broad and plain

而民好徑But people like the side paths

朝甚除The courts are corrupt

田甚蕪The fields are barren

倉甚虛The warehouses are empty

服文綵Officials wear fineries

帶利劍Carry sharp swords

厭飲食Fill up on drinks and food

財貨有餘Acquire excessive wealth

是謂盜夸This is called robbery

非道也哉It is not the Tao!

善建者不拔That which is well established cannot be uprooted

善抱者不脫That which is strongly held cannot be taken

子孫以祭祀不輟The descendants will commemorate it forever

修之於身 其德乃真Cultivate it in yourself; its virtue shall be true

修之於家 其德乃餘Cultivate it in the family; its virtue shall be abundant

修之於鄉 其德乃長Cultivate it in the community; its virtue shall be lasting

修之於國 其德乃豐Cultivate it in the country; its virtue shall be prosperous

修之於天下 其德乃普Cultivate it in the world; its virtue shall be widespread

故Therefore:

以身觀身Observe others with yourself

以家觀家Observe other families with your family

以鄉觀鄉Observe other communities with your community

以國觀國Observe other countries with your country

以天下觀天下Observe the world with the world

吾何以知天下然哉With what do I know the world?

以此With this

含德之厚Those who hold an abundance of virtue

比於赤子Are similar to newborn infants

毒蟲不螫Poisonous insects do not sting them

猛獸不據Wild beasts do not claw them

攫鳥不摶Birds of prey do not attack them

骨弱筋柔Their bones are weak, tendons are soft

而握固But their grasp is firm

未知牝牡之合而全作They do not know of sexual union but can manifest arousal

精之至也Due to the optimum of essence

終日號而不嗄They can cry the whole day and yet not be hoarse

和之至也Due to the optimum of harmony

知和曰常Knowing harmony is said to be constancy

知常曰明Knowing constancy is said to be clarity

益生曰祥Excessive vitality is said to be inauspicious

心使氣曰強Mind overusing energy is said to be aggressive

物壯則老Things become strong and then grow old

謂之不道This is called contrary to the Tao

不道早已That which is contrary to the Tao will soon perish

知者不言Those who know do not talk

言者不知Those who talk do not know

塞其兑Close the mouth

閉其門Shut the doors

挫其銳Blunt the sharpness

解其紛Unravel the knots

和其光Dim the glare

同其塵Mix the dust

是謂玄同This is called Mystic Oneness

故不可得而親They cannot obtain this and be closer

不可得而疏They cannot obtain this and be distant

不可得而利They cannot obtain this and be benefited

不可得而害They cannot obtain this and be harmed

不可得而貴They cannot obtain this and be valued

不可得而賤They cannot obtain this and be degraded

故為天下貴Therefore, they become honored by the world

以正治國Govern a country with upright integrity

以奇用兵Deploy the military with surprise tactics

以無事取天下Take the world with non-interference

吾何以知其然哉How do I know this is so?

以此With the following:

天下多忌諱When there are many restrictions in the world

而民彌貧The people become more impoverished

民多利器When people have many sharp weapons

國家滋昏The country becomes more chaotic

人多伎巧When people have many clever tricks

奇物滋起More strange things occur

法令滋彰The more laws are posted

盜賊多有The more robbers and thieves there are

故聖人云Therefore the sage says:

我無為而民自化I take unattached action, and the people transform themselves

我好靜而民自正I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves

我無事而民自富I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves

我無欲而民自樸I have no desires, and the people simplify themselves

其政悶悶When governing is lackluster

其民淳淳The people are simple and honest

其政察察When governing is scrutinizing

其民缺缺The people are shrewd and crafty

禍兮福之所倚Misfortune is what fortune depends upon

福兮禍之所伏Fortune is where misfortune hides beneath

孰知其極Who knows their ultimate end

其無正耶Or if they have no determined outcome?

正復為奇Rightness reverts to become strange

善復為妖Goodness reverts to become wicked

人之迷The confusion of people

其日固久has lasted many long days

是以聖人Therefore the sages are:

方而不割Righteous without being scathing

廉而不劌Incorruptible without being piercing

直而不肆Straightforward without being ruthless

光而不耀Illuminated without being flashy

治人事天In governing people and serving Heaven

莫若嗇There is nothing like conservation

夫唯嗇是謂早服Only with conservation is it called submitting early

早服謂之重積德Submitting early is called emphasis on accumulating virtues

重積德則無不克Accumulating virtues means there is nothing one cannot overcome

無不克When there is nothing that one cannot overcome

則莫知其極One's limits are unknown

莫知其極 可以有國The limitations being unknown, one can possess sovereignty

有國之母 可以長久With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting

是謂深根固柢This is called deep roots and firm foundation

長生久視之道The Tao of longevity and lasting vision

治大國若烹小鮮Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish

以道蒞天下Using the Tao to manage the world

其鬼不神Its demons have no power

非其鬼不神Not only do its demons have no power

其神不傷人Its gods do not harm people

非其神不傷人Not only do its gods not harm people

聖人亦不傷人The sages also do not harm people

夫兩不相傷They both do no harm to one another

故德交歸焉So virtue merges and returns

大國者下流The large country is like the lowest river

天下之交The converging point of the world

天下之牝The receptive female of the world

牝常以靜勝牡The female always overcomes the male with serenity

以靜為下Using serenity as the lower position

故大國以下小國Thus if the large country is lower than the small country

則取小國Then it can take the small country

小國以下大國If the small country is lower than the large country

則取大國Then it can be taken by the large country

故或下以取Thus one uses the lower position to take

或下而取。The other uses the lower position to be taken

大國不過欲兼畜人The large country only wishes to gather and protect people

小國不過欲入事人The small country only wishes to join and serve people

夫兩者各得其所欲So that both obtain what they wish

大者宜為下The larger one should assume the lower position

道者萬物之奧The Tao is the wonder of all things

善人之寶The treasure of the kind person

不善人之所保The protection of the unkind person

美言可以市尊Admirable words can win the public's respect

美行可以加人Admirable actions can improve people

人之不善Those who are unkind

何棄之有How can they be abandoned?

故立天子Therefore, when crowning the Emperor

置三公And installing the three ministers

雖有拱璧以先駟馬Although there is the offering of jade before four horses

不如坐進此道None of it can compare to being seated in this Tao

古之所以貴此道者何Why did the ancients value this Tao so much?

不曰求以得Is it not said that those who seek will find,

有罪以免耶And those with guilt will not be faulted?

故為天下貴Therefore, it is the greatest value in the world

為無為Act without action

事無事Manage without meddling

味無味Taste without tasting

大小多少Great, small, many, few

報怨以德Respond to hatred with virtue

圖難於其易Plan difficult tasks through the simplest tasks

為大於其細Achieve large tasks through the smallest tasks

天下難事The difficult tasks of the world

必作於易Must be handled through the simple tasks

天下大事The large tasks of the world

必作於細Must be handled through the small tasks

是以聖人終不為大Therefore, sages never attempt great deeds all through life

故能成其大Thus they can achieve greatness

夫輕諾必寡信One who makes promises lightly must deserve little trust

多易必多難One who sees many easy tasks must encounter much difficulty

是以聖人猶難之Therefore, sages regard things as difficult

故終無難矣So they never encounter difficulties all through life

其安易持When it is peaceful, it is easy to maintain

其未兆易謀When it shows no signs, it is easy to plan

其脆易破When it is fragile, it is easy to break

其微易散When it is small, it is easy to scatter

為之於未有Act on it when it has not yet begun

治之於未亂Treat it when it is not yet chaotic

合抱之木A tree thick enough to embrace

生於毫末Grows from the tiny sapling

九層之台A tower of nine levels

起於累土Starts from the dirt heap

千里之行A journey of a thousand miles

始於足下Begins beneath the feet

為者敗之The one who meddles will fail

執者失之The one who grasps will lose

是以聖人Therefore, sages:

無為故無敗Do not meddle and thus do not fail

無執故無失Do not grasp and thus do not lose

民之從事People, in handling affairs

常於幾成而敗之Often come close to completion and fail

慎終如始If they are as careful in the end as the beginning

則無敗事Then they would have no failure

是以聖人欲不欲Therefore, sages desire not to desire

不貴難得之貨and do not value goods that are hard to acquire

學不學They learn to unlearn

復眾人之所過and redeem the fault of the people

以輔萬物之自然To assist the nature of all things

而不敢為Without daring to meddle

古之善為道者Those of ancient times who were adept at the Tao

非以明民Used it not to make people brighter

將以愚之But to keep them simple

民之難治The difficulty in governing people

以其智多Is due their excessive cleverness

故以智治國Therefore, using cleverness to govern the state

國之賊Is being a thief of the state

不以智治國Not using cleverness to govern the state

國之福Is being a blessing of the state

知此兩者亦稽式Know that these two are both standards

常知稽式Always knowing these standards

是謂玄德Is called Mystic Virtue

玄德 深矣 遠矣Mystic Virtue: Profound! Far-reaching!

與物反矣It goes opposite to material things

然後乃至大順Then it reaches great congruence

江海之所以能為百谷王者Rivers and oceans can be the kings of a hundred valleys

以其善下之Because of their goodness in staying low

故能為百谷王So they can be the kings of a hundred valleys

是以聖人欲上民Thus if sages wish to be over people

必以言下之They must speak humbly to them

欲先民If they wish to be in front of people

必以身後之They must place themselves behind them

是以聖人處上Thus the sages are positioned above

而民不重But the people do not feel burdened

處前They are positioned in front

而民不害But the people do not feel harmed

是以天下樂推而不厭Thus the world is glad to push them forward without resentment

以其不爭Because they do not contend

故天下莫能與之爭So the world cannot contend with them

天下皆謂我道大Everyone in the world calls my Tao great

似不肖As if it is beyond compare

夫唯大It is only because of its greatness

故似不肖That it seems beyond compare

若肖If it can be compared

久矣其細也夫It would already be insignificant long ago!

我有三寶I have three treasures

持而保之I hold on to them and protect them

一曰慈The first is called compassion

二曰儉The second is called conservation

三曰不敢為天下先The third is called not daring to be ahead in the world

慈故能勇Compassionate, thus able to have courage

儉故能廣Conserving, thus able to reach widely

不敢為天下先Not daring to be ahead in the world

故能成器長Thus able to assume leadership

今捨慈且勇Now if one has courage but discards compassion

捨儉且廣Reaches widely but discards conservation

捨後且先Goes ahead but discards being behind

死矣Then death!

夫慈以戰則勝If one fights with compassion, then victory

以守則固With defense, then security

天將救之Heaven shall save them

以慈衛之And with compassion guard them

善為士者不武The great generals are not warlike

善戰者不怒The great warriors do not get angry

善勝敵者不與Those who are good at defeating enemies do not engage them

善用人者為之下Those who are good at managing people lower themselves

是謂不爭之德It is called the virtue of non-contention

是謂用人之力It is called the power of managing people

是謂配天It is called being harmonious with Heaven

古之極The ultimate principle of the ancients

用兵有言In using the military, there is a saying:

吾不敢為主而為客I dare not be the host, but prefer to be the guest

不敢進寸而退尺I dare not advance an inch, but prefer to withdraw a foot

是謂This is called:

行無行Marching in formation without formation

攘無臂Raising arms without arms

扔無敵Grappling enemies without enemies

執無兵Holding weapons without weapons

禍莫大於輕敵There is no greater disaster than to underestimate the enemy

輕敵幾喪吾寶Underestimating the enemy almost made me lose my treasures

故抗兵相加So when evenly matched armies meet

哀者勝矣The side that is compassionate shall win

吾言甚易知 甚易行My words are easy to understand, easy to practice

天下莫能知 莫能行The world cannot understand, cannot practice

言有宗My words have basis

事有君My actions have principle

夫唯無知People do not understand this

是以不我知Therefore they do not understand me

知我者希Those who understand me are few

則我者貴Thus I am highly valued

是以聖人被褐懷玉Therefore the sage wears plain clothes but holds jade

知不知上To know that you do not know is highest

不知知病To not know but think you know is flawed

夫唯病病Only when one recognizes the fault as a fault

是以不病can one be without fault

聖人不病The sages are without fault

以其病病Because they recognize the fault as a fault

是以不病That is why they are without fault

民不畏威When people no longer fear force

則大威至They bring about greater force

無狎其所居Do not limit their place

無厭其所生Do not reject their livelihood

夫唯不厭Because the ruler does not reject them

是以不厭Therefore they do not reject the ruler

是以聖人Therefore the sages:

自知不自見Know themselves but do not glorify themselves

自愛不自貴Respect themselves but do not praise themselves

故去彼取此Thus they discard that and take this

勇於敢則殺The bold in daring will be killed

勇於不敢則活The bold in not daring will survive

此兩者或利或害Of these two, one may benefit, the other may harm

天之所惡 孰知其故The one hated by Heaven – who knows the reason?

是以聖人猶難之Even the sages still find this difficult

天之道The Tao of Heaven:

不爭而善勝Does not contend and yet excels in winning

不言而善應Does not speak and yet excels in responding

不召而自來Is not summoned and yet comes on its own

繟然而善謀Is unhurried and yet excels in planning

天網恢恢The heavenly net is vast

疏而不失Loose, and yet does not let anything slip through

民不畏死People do not fear death

奈何以死懼之How can they be threatened with death?

若使民常畏死If people are made to constantly fear death

而為奇者Then those who act unlawfully

吾得執而殺之I can capture and kill them

孰敢Who would dare?

常有司殺者殺There exists a master executioner that kills

夫代司殺者殺If we substitute for the master executioner to kill

是謂代大匠斲It is like substituting for the great carpenter to cut

夫代大匠斲者Those who substitute for the great carpenter to cut

希有不傷其手矣It is rare that they do not hurt their own hands

民之饑The people's hunger

以其上食稅之多Is due to the excess of their ruler's taxation

是以饑So they starve

民之難治The people's difficulty in being governed

以其上之有為Is due to the meddling of their ruler

是以難治So they are difficult to govern

民之輕死The people's disregard for death

以其求生之厚Is due to the glut in their ruler's pursuit of life

是以輕死So they disregard death

夫唯無以生為者Therefore those who do not strive for living

是賢於貴生Are better than those who value living

人之生也柔弱While alive, the body is soft and pliant

其死也堅強When dead, it is hard and rigid

萬物草木All living things, grass and trees,

之生也柔脆While alive, are soft and supple

其死也枯槁When dead, become dry and brittle

故堅強者Thus that which is hard and stiff

死之徒is the follower of death

柔弱者That which is soft and yielding

生之徒is the follower of life

是以兵強則不勝Therefore, an inflexible army will not win

木強則共A strong tree will be cut down

強大處下The big and forceful occupy a lowly position

柔弱處上While the soft and pliant occupy a higher place

天之道The Tao of Heaven

其猶張弓與Is like drawing a bow

高者抑之Lower that which is high

下者舉之Raise that which is low

有餘者損之Reduce that which has excess

不足者補之Add to that which is lacking

天之道The Tao of Heaven

損有餘Reduces the excessive

而補不足And adds to the lacking

人之道則不然The Tao of people is not so

損不足It reduces the lacking

以奉有餘In order to offer to the excessive

孰能有餘以奉天下Who can offer their excess to the world?

唯有道者Only those who have the Tao

是以聖人為而不恃Therefore sages act without conceit

功成而不處Achieve without claiming credit

其不欲見賢They do not wish to display their virtue

天下莫柔弱於水Nothing in the world is softer or weaker than water

而攻堅強者莫之能勝Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong

以其無以易之This is because nothing can replace it

弱之勝強That the weak overcomes the strong

柔之勝剛And the soft overcomes the hard

天下莫不知Everybody in the world knows

莫能行But cannot put into practice

是以聖人云Therefore sages say:

受國之垢The one who accepts the humiliation of the state

是謂社稷主Is called its master

受國不祥The one who accepts the misfortune of the state

是為天下王Becomes king of the world

正言若反The truth seems like the opposite

和大怨After settling a great dispute

必有餘怨There must be remaining resentments

安可以為善How can this be considered good?

是以聖人執左契Therefore the sage holds the left part of the contract

而不責於人But does not demand payment from the other person

有德司契Those who have virtue hold the contract

無德司徹Those without virtue hold the collections

天道無親The Heavenly Tao has no favorites

常與善人It constantly gives to the kind people

小國寡民Small country, few people

使有什伯之器Let them have many weapons

而不用But not use them

使民重死Let the people regard death seriously

而不遠徙And not migrate far away

雖有舟輿Although they have boats and chariots

無所乘之They have no need to take them

雖有甲兵Although they have armors and weapons

無所陳之They have no need to display them

使民復結繩而用之Let the people return to tying knots and using them

甘其食 美其服Savor their food, admire their clothes

安其居 樂其俗Content in their homes, happy in their customs

鄰國相望Neighboring countries see one another

雞犬之聲相聞Hear the sounds of roosters and dogs from one another

民至老死The people, until they grow old and die

不相往來Do not go back and forth with one another

信言不美True words are not beautiful

美言不信Beautiful words are not true

善者不辯Those who are good do not debate

辯者不善Those who debate are not good

知者不博Those who know are not broad of knowledge

博者不知Those who are broad of knowledge do not know

聖人不積Sages do not accumulate

既以為人己愈有The more they assist others, the more they possess

既以與人己愈多The more they give to others, the more they gain

天之道The Tao of heaven

利而不害Benefits and does not harm

聖人之道The Tao of sages

為而不爭Assists and does not contend